Transparent 01 - Transparent by Natalie Whipple

Author:Natalie Whipple [Whipple, Natalie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780062120168
Google: t7l46O-F6gUC
Amazon: 0062120166
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: 2013-05-14T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Miles and I sit under the tree out front, savoring the shade in the fading light. He leans on the trunk, pouting.

“Stop it.” I close my eyes, unable to look at him any longer. It kills me every time, but I am not giving up my date with Brady no matter how watery my brother’s eyes get.

“I can’t believe you’re ditching me for a guy.”

“It’s just one night, and it’s not like this happens every day.”

“I guess that’s true,” he grumbles.

I venture a peek; he doesn’t look happy, but the pout’s gone. “You know Brady. How could you not approve?”

He shrugs. “Yeah, he’s nice, but I guess I never pictured you with someone like him.”

I scoff. “You probably never pictured me with anyone.”

“No!” He smiles. “Well, not like I sit and think about it all the time. I just imagined someone … less huge.”

I laugh. “You have a problem with his muscles?”

“He could hurt you! Not that he would, but that kind of strength … Fi, it’s not something that’s easy to deal with.” He bites his lip. “I always hoped you’d find a guy who wouldn’t make your life any more complicated than it is, you know? Someone safe.”

As I look at the ground, this ache forms in my chest. I’d never thought about it, really. Brady’s strong. He could easily demolish a house with his fist, never mind a person. And yet … “He’s so gentle. He controls it really well. You can’t say he’s not one of the nicest people you’ve ever met.”

“He is.” Miles puts his arm around me, squeezes tight. “But people are like paper to him. Don’t forget that. Of course he’d never do anything intentionally—that doesn’t stop accidents, though.”

I push his arm off. He should be happy for me. He has to know it’s a miracle anyone would ask me out, especially someone like Brady. “You’re judging him.”

“Fi, calm down. That’s not what I’m saying.”

“Then what?”

He takes a deep breath. “I’m just making sure you don’t forget what kind of sacrifice you’d be making, if this does go further. I mean, look at Mom. She resisted Dad at first, and he was so crazy about getting her because of it. Then things changed. She thought she could deal with it. She wanted to love him for real, and she paid the price.”

My eyes go wide. “What?”

Miles tilts his head. “Didn’t you know?”

“She never told me that.” I try to picture Mom choosing to love Dad, instead of falling prey to his unrelenting charm drug. I had no idea she was that crazy. “How could she do that?”

“Why don’t you ask her?”

I don’t answer. Lately, talking to Mom leaves me feeling like I’m the one to blame.

Miles picks at the grass, and I know he’s trying to find the words that will keep me from yelling at him. “There are always sacrifices when you get involved with someone, sis. Ignoring them and their consequences can really screw you over. As long as you know what you’re getting into and are honestly willing to deal with it, then I’ll back you up.

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